Display-case.



I. F. OMWAKE.

DISPLAY CASE.

. APPLIoATIoN FILED zumal, 1911.

Patented Feb. 27, 1912.

O Attorneys.

I.- P. QMWAKB.

. DISPLAY OASE. APPLICATION IVILED .TUNE 2l, 1911. K 1,018,679.,v yfwn-,entail Feb. 27, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

7 f. a Attorneys NED STATES PATENT OFFC.

IRA F. OMWAKE, OF FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS.

DISPLAY-CASE.

TopaZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IRA F. OMWAKE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fort Smith, in the county of Sebastian and State of Arkansas, have invented a new and useful Display-Case, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to display cases for cigars and other articles, and has for its principal object to provide a display case which can be opened at its front and rear upper corners, to allow for ready access to the interior of the case from either the front or rear thereof, for the purpose of depositing articles for display or sale therein, or for arranging the articles therein, or for removing the articles from the case.

A further object is to provide convenient and simple means for the salesman, or person having charge ofthe case and goods therein, to open the said case at the front and rear upper corners independent of each other and from the rear of the case. To this end, there are employed a suitable base, end frames thereon, transparent panels or panes in the said end frames, a shelf spaced above the base and secured between the end frames, the lower rigid transparent panel or pane at the front and rear and secured to the base and end frames, a sliding transparent panel or pane at the front and rear and extending from the upper corners to overlap the upper edges of the lower rigid panes or panels, front and rear panels or panes slidable between the tops of the end frames and overlapping each other normally atl their inner edges to close the case, and suitable means for simultaneously sliding the corresponding panels or panes at either vof the upper corners away from the corners to form an unobstructed opening to any articles which may be displayed on the shelf. The panels or panes are preferably made of glass or other transparent material,

although any other suitable material may be employed therefor. The means employed for sliding the said panels is novel and charl acteristic in construction, being simple, du-

rable, convenient and efficient in use. The display case herein described when embodyin m 1 ven an a L g y in vtion c be made orn mental Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 21, 1911.

Patented Feb. 27, 1912.

Serial No. 634,431.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the

base is shown at 5, being of suitable construction and preferably rectangular in shape. On the ends of the said base 5 are mounted the end frames each comprising the uprights 6 at the corners of the base and the upper cross-piece 7 joining the upper ends of the respective uprights 6. Within the end frames are mounted the stationary panels 9. Spaced above the base 5 is the horizontal shelf 8, which is secured between the end frames. Between the uprights 6 at the front and rear of the display case are rigid panels 10 which extend from the base upward to about the height of the shelf. Either of these panels may be substituted by suitable doors or slides for access to the lower compartment of the display case, this being obvious to the designer and not forming a part of this invention. Slidably mounted between the upper ends of the uprights 6 at the front and rear are the respective panels 11 and 12. These panels, normally, extend from the upper corners of the case and overlap the lower stationary or rigid panels l0 to close the front and rear faces of the case. These panels 11 are slidable downward or vertically to open the upper portions of the front and rear of the case. Between the cross-piece 7 atthe upper corners of the ends of the case are slidably mounted front and rear top panels 13 and 14, which normally extend from the respective corners inward to overlap each other about the center of the top. The front top panel 13 is preferably mounted thereof, as shown at 21.

above the rear top panel 14, or in a horizontal plane parallel to and spaced above the horizontal plane of the rear top panel 14. Each of these panels 13 and 14 are slidable away from their respective corners of the case, the rear top panel being adapted to slide beneath the front top plate and vice versa. Normally the corresponding sliding panels at the upper corners at the front and rear butt against each other to close the case. The above described parts form the display case proper. Y

The mechanism for sliding the front panels, or for opening the front corner of the case, consists of a longitudinal shaft 15 preferably mounted centrally below or to the bottom of the shaft 8, one end thereof passing through one end ofthe case and having a rearward and upward extending operating lever 16 secured to said outer end. Within the ends of the case the shaft carries the vertical upstanding arm 17, and the horizontal forward arm 18. The arms 17 and 18 comprise respective sections 17a and 17h, and 18a and 18b which have a telescopic connection, thereby allowing the outer ends thereof to be distended or retracted. The upper or outer ends of the arms 17 are pivoted to the ends of the front top panel 13 by any suitable means, and to the forward or outer ends of the arms 18 are attached the cords or cables 19 by any suitable means, which cords 19 run over the pulley wheels 20 at the upper corners and ends ofthe case, and then extend downwardly to be secured to the ends of the panel 11 near the bottom Thus, when the lever 16 is depressed, the arms 17 are swung backward, carrying the front top panel 13 rearward over the rear top panel, and the arms 18 are swung upward and the cords 19 are thereby slackened, allowing the front sliding panel 11 to drop or lower. In this manner, the upper front corner of the case is opened, giving ready access from the front to the interior of the case. Upon the lever 16 being raised, the said opening is again closed, the parts returning to normal position, as will be understood. Due to the telescopic construction of the arms 17 and 18, the ends thereof are permitted to be distended and retracted to follow the respective horizontal path of the panel 13 and the vertical path of the cord 19, which assists in the action of the device.

The panel 14 is provided at its rear edge with a hand-hold 26. A cord or cable 22 at each end of the case is secured at one end to the rear portion of the end of the panel 14 and passes over the forwardly disposed pulley 23, then backward over the pulley 24 in the rear corner and downward to be attached at 25 to the lower portion of the end of the rear sliding panel 12. Then by sliding' the rear top panel forward by means of handhold 26 or otherwise, the cords 22 are slaclened, t-hus permitting the rear sliding panel 12 to lower or drop. In this manner, the rear upper corner can be opened. As therear top panel is drawn back to its normal position, the rear panel 12 will be simultaneously drawn upward to close the said corner.

It will be seen that the sliding panels are conveniently and readily operated, when desired, to open either the front or rear corners of the display case, thus permitting either the merchant or salesman at the rear of the case, or the purchaser yat the front of the case, to have access to the interior of the case. The sliding panels are operated from the rear, as will be understood, and by locking the movement of the said operating lever 16 and the rear top panel 14 by any suitable means, it is impossible to secure access to the interior of the case without damage thereto.

Then closed, or in normal position, the case is securely closed to render it air and dust-proof, and it will also be seen that the mechanism for operating the sliding panels does not interfere with the compartment below the shelf 8.

The advantages of opening the display case as above described are numerous and need not be itemized herein.

The invention is also capable of alterations within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit thereof.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. In a display case, the combination with a base, and end frames thereon, of a longitudinal shaft, an operating lever on said shaft, a sliding panel between the said end frames, and a telescoping arm secured to the said shaft and having its outer end pivoted to the said sliding panel.

2. In a display case, the combination with a base, and end frames thereon, of a longitudinal shaft, an operating lever on said shaft, a vertical sliding panel between the said end frames, a telescoping arm secured to the said shaft, an upper pulley wheel, and a cord passing over the said pulley and attached to the outer end of t-he said arm and to t-he said panel.

3. In a display case, the combination with a base and end frames, of a slidable top panel and a slidable vertical panel normally closing one of the upper corners of the display case, a longitudinal shaft, a vertical upstanding telescoping arm and a horizontal telescoping arm secured to the said shaft, a cord connecting the upper end of the said horizontal arm with the said vertical panel, a guide pulley for the said cord, the outer end of the said Vertical arm being pivotaily as my own, I have hereto affixed my signaconneoted to the top panel, and an operating ture in the presence of two Witnesses.

lever for the said shaft, whereby the said panels are Simultaneously slid from the said IRA F' OMWAKE corner to open the display case-upon the said `Witnesses: operating lever being turned. R. C. COPE,

In testimony that I claim Jdie foregoing C. D. KEELER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

